New 2 Somerset

What is 'New 2 Somerset'?

What were the project aims?

New 2 Somerset was an inter-generational, cross-cultural, all abilities project, designed to use digital media to produce films celebrating new to an area, a job or way of life.

The aims were:

• to encourage collaborative learning between different community groups.
• to raise awareness and participate in discussing common themes affecting newcomers to a more rural area by sharing life stories
• to engage through informal learning hard to hear groups and encourage vocalisation of current common issues
• to enable participants to pass on their learning to others via the DVD product and future skills transference through self organised groups
• The Project encouraged bridging and mixing across generations, ethnicity, culture, faith and disability, reducing social isolation.

In addition, a number of key partnerships were established with statutory, voluntary/third sector, and private organisations and groups:

• Avon and Somerset Constabulary
• Bean Creative
• EDC Inter/play
• Friends, Families and Travellers
• Midwest European Communities Association
• Somerset Racial Equality Council
• South Somerset Filipino Friends Association
• Somerset Racial Inclusion project
• Somerset Skills and Learning
• South Somerset Disability Forum
• South Somerset District Council
• South Somerset Mind
• Suited and Booted cic

What were some of the outcomes?

Skills gained:

• Communication and interpersonal
• Decision making and problem solving
• Negotiating
• Organisational
• Technical skills - video cameras, film making, storyboarding, editing, writing, ordering and sequencing
• ICT
• Literacy/numeracy
• Creativity

Outcomes:

• Working with such a diverse group people developed knowledge, tolerance and understanding of differences between themselves and others - a sense of inclusion
• 20 mentors have been trained. They are using the knowledge and skills gained from the project to make new films in their own communities, eg South Somerset Disability Forum, MECA, Avon and Somerset Constabulary, Somerset Racial Inclusion Project,
• Changes in behaviours and beliefs
• Aspirations widened
• Confidence and self-esteem increased
• A number of participants have gained employment
• Independence gained
• Family Learning, Avon and Somerset Constabulary, Probation, Education, Midwest European Communities Association, South Somerset Mind and others, plan use the dvd in their work, or for training.
• Our Resource Centre will hold equipment as a community resource available to book out to groups and individuals.

See the project in action